28 January 2014

TAG: THE BLOGGER MADE ME BUY IT


This tag has been popping up quite a lot on my Bloglovin feed recently. One of the main reasons I started writing my blog was because I loved seeing what people thought of different products before I bought them, so I thought it would be a fun idea to do this tag - also you can find out a little bit more about what's in my beauty stash...


1) Who are your most influential bloggers?  Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches? Anna from VivianaDoesMakeup and Lily Pebbles, are definitely up there on my list of favourite bloggers. They get the beauty and lifestyle balance just right, they also both put up new posts every morning making sixth form that little bit easier to deal with. In terms of reviews and swatches, Fleur from FleurDeForce is excellent. I love that she always gives her honest opinion on products and waits for the 'hype' of a new releases to settle down before giving her thoughts. For swatches they are always so detailed, which is a bonus, especially when buying products online - her post on the Rimmel Colour Rush Balms were really helpful for when I was choosing mine. 

2) Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others? Mmmmmm, this one really depends. If a product is quite expensive or skincare related, I will usually have a look through a few posts to see a range of opinions. However with a lot of things  (I always used to spell a lot as alot) I'm not as fussy and end up picking up things I didn't even know I wanted because I saw one good review on it. 

3) What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs? Oohhh this ones a toughie. Because I read so many different beauty blogs, a lot of the things I do buy is because I have read about them beforehand. I think everyyyone has heard of this product so nothing too  surprising but I think it has to be the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer. I literally use this everyday and have probs repurchased it like 5 times?! The Packaging is a bit crappy and all the writing rubs off really quickly but for just over £4 you can't really go wrong. I've got so many of my friends in to this concealer since I've been using it and I think I'll be using it for a good while yet. 

4) What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs? I've never really, really disliked a disliked a product after buying it, which is pretty lucky. However one that does spring to mind the is the Garnier Moisture Match moisturiser. I was pretty excited when these launched as they bought out a variety for different skin and complexion types. I picked up the one in the yellow tube targeted for normal skin however my skin was really sensitive towards it - to the point that my eyes were watering even though I hadn't put to directly next to the eye area. Sad face from me. 

5) Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs. 
Latest In Beauty Box - Glamour Edition (no longer available)
6) Have you ever given into blogger hype?  If so, which hype? Easy, 100% Bioderma. Again another cult product but this stuff really does deserve the hype. I was really hesitant to buy this at first because it's tricky to get hold of in the UK and buying it off eBay seemed a bit dodgey. However I'm so glad I did, for anyone that doesn't know Bioderma is super gentle makeup remover that literally feels, looks and smells like water - hence why I was a little reluctant to buy it off eBay. I've nearly finished my current bottle and will definitely be buying it again, for anyone wanting to give Bioderma a try here's a link to the seller I used. 

7) Have you ever avoided blogger hype?  If so, which hype? I  don't know why but I just never really got in to the whole BB & CC cream business. I prefer to just apply my moisturiser and foundation and be done. Oooh and also the whole Clarisonic thing, I think £100+ for a brush is a little too pricy for me.

8) Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking out a review? Nope, there are definitely a lot of things I've just picked up without really knowing much about especially in places like Boots or Superdrug where everything is normally 3for2. The 3for2 offer is great for trying new products because if it turns out you don't like one you can just pretend it was the free one (even if it wasn't the cheapest)!!!

Have you recently read a review which has made you want to try a new product? 

Kathleen xxx 

(Tag originally by Daniella from FamousInJapan)

22 January 2014

DIY: THE MIDWEEK MANICURE





Getting a manicure done in a beauty salon is a lovely treat but it can also be quite expensive, so I thought I would share with you my super easy DIY alternative. In true Blue Peter fashion, you will need -


1. Filing - the part my boyfriend cannot stand. 
Using a standard nail file I just file my nails till they are about the same length, I personally like to them pretty short and also slightly rounded at the edges. This bit is completely down to personal preference so you can file them to whichever length and shape you wish.
2. Cuticle remover - the part to take special care with.
I just place a little dot of the cuticle remover at the top of each nail then use a tipped woodstick in small circular motions to gently push back and remove any cuticle-y bits. Make sure to do this bit gently as pushing too hard can be really painful - trust me I've been there. 
3. Painting - the part which requires a steady hand.
If I'm using a darker colour (or not being lazy) I use a base coat so that the colour doesn't stain my actual nail. Here I went for one from L'oreal which also doubles up as a top coat. For the colour I tend to apply two coats so the colour is super opaque. Here I used one from Revlon in the shade Vixen, which I think is the prefect shade for this time of year.
4. Treatment - the part which is the finishing touch.
After my nails have completely dried, I just apply a small amount of hand cream to keep them moisturised, my favourite is this one from Clarins because it also acts as a strengthening treatment for your nails. Finally I apply a small bit of oil to each nail which I tend to tend to do every few days, it's basically like food for your nails as it helps to keep them strong and hydrated. Here I've used one from Shellac, which only downside is the marzipan scent.

What's your favourite DIY beauty treatment?

Kathleen xxx

15 January 2014

MINI FEEL UNIQUE HAUL



When it comes to sales in shops, I hate it literally hate. But when it comes to sale shopping online it's a different story. So when I had an email through in the New Year advertising the Feel Unique sale I knew it wouldn't be long till I was was on that website having a nosey through. Although I only picked up a couple things I thought I would show you what I got. 

The first thing I put in my basket was the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, this is a repurchase for me and you can see it featured in my everyday makeup routine here. I love this product for concealing any dark circles I have under my eyes as it so brightening. This concealer usually retails for £5.49 however I picked it up for just £2.74, so even though I still have lots left in my current one I thought I'd stock up while it was at such a low price.

Next I picked up a couple of the Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Balms in the shades Not An Illusion and Redder the Better. Every drugstore brand seems to bringing these lip crayons after Clinique bought out the original Chubby Sticks a few years ago. I believe these are quite a recent release from Rimmel so I'm interested to see how they will compare against the formula of the Bourjois Colour Boosts as I really like those. At the sale price of £2.99 (usual price £5.99) I decided to pick up one nude and a red for a bit of a variety.

The Balm is a brand I've been wanting to try for ages, their highlighter has become a bit of a cult product amongst beauty bloggers unfortunately it was out of stock so I decided to give their 'Bahama Mama' bronzer a go which I got for £10 (usual price £12.50). I love that the brand gives their products such quirky names and designs, it really makes them stand out against other products. After receiving the bronzer it does look a little dark however I'm sure if it's used sparingly it will be lovely on. This bronzer is also matte making an ideal for contouring. One of the downsides to this brand is that it's a little hard to get your hands on, Feel Unique seem to be the only online stockist however next time I would love to try one of their blushers.

The last thing I got was the Benefit Badrageous Love Duo Set for only £9.25. It contains one full size and one mini mascara, one full size of these mascaras on their own usually retails for £17.50 definitely making this purchase my biggest bargain. Being a huge fan of the popular 'They're Real' I'm excited to how this will compare. I believe this one has more of classic wand compared to the large plastic wand on the They're Real. The mini version will also be perfect for putting in my travel makeup bag in the summer, I think this little set would make a lovely little gift for someone. (Please excuse my horrible chipped nails in this photograph, bad beauty blogger I know).

One of the best things about Feel Unique is that it they have free worldwide delivery all year round making it even more tempting. Did you manage to pick up any beauty bargains in the sales this year?

Kathleen xxx 











10 January 2014

BENEFIT'S THE POREFESSIONAL VALUE SIZE - LIMITED EDITION



To most of you this product will be nothing new, it is perhaps the most well known and loved face primers, Benefits 'The POREfessional'. It does exactly what it says on the tin 'minimise the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin'.

Having been using the same tiny little sample pot for months, the time had come for me to purchase the full size tube. After doing a bit of nosing around the online beauty sales, I came across a 'special buy' section on the John Lewis website. Usually this product retails at £24.50 for 22ml of product however exclusively for John Lewis, Benefit have released this special edition of the POREfessional which includes twice as much product for just £5 extra! For those a little slow on the maths like me, that's £29.50 for 44ml of product.

Although it sounds a bit expensive for a product you can't technically see, I can definitely notice how much longer my makeup stays put when I use it. I just use my fingers to apply a small amount of the primer to my face before putting on my foundation. Inside the box came a little leaflet detailing how to use the primer, as well as using it as a base for makeup it also shows how it can be used for touching up your makeup, I've never thought to do this before but it's definitely something I am going to try.

As well as the primer itself, I adore how fun and unique Benefit always make their products look. The packaging of the primer is based around 'Spy Gal' who is now also featuring on Benefit's latest release - The POREfessional agent zero shine loose powder (bit of a mouthful) which I cannot wait to try.

This value size version of the primer is exclusive to John Lewis and can be purchased direct from their website here or at any of the Benefit counters in store.

What do you think of the POREfessional, is it your favourite primer too?

Kathleen xxx 


6 January 2014

LAZY EVERYDAY FACE - DRUGSTORE EDITION




Hello everyone, this is my first proper post - so I'm very excited, I hope you enjoy reading it! P.s for anyone wondering what the 'drugstore' it's just the American version of what us UK lot call the highstreet.

I was going to call this post just the 'Lazy Face' till I realised these products have been my go-to for the past month or so. This being the result of opting for an extra ten precious minutes in bed rather than spending it on looking half acceptable, oooops.

For the base, even though this is a natural look I still like to have a decent amount of coverage. I've been using the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation which unlike most foundations has a slight fruity smell to it making it strangely refreshing in the morning. To make me look a little more awake than I actually am, the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer is great and claims to provide a radiant glow - I just pop it under my eyes to brighten up that area. I then go on to use the Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil pencil through my brows to add a bit of shape and definition, this is ultimate lazy day product for when using a powder is too much of a fuss.

For adding a bit of colour back in to my face, I use the bronze shade in the Sleek Face Form Palette which as you can see I have just hit the bottom of, sigh. I just sweep it under my cheeks and across the sides of my face (super technical, I know). Recently I picked up this GOSH blusher in the shade Flower Power, which is a beautiful light pink shade. GOSH is a brand I've never really looked at or used before but I decided to give it ago after seeing Tati from GlamLifeGuru raving about it. (click to go over to her Youtube channel). I also am a total sucker for the Boots and Superdrug 3for2 offer. I just use a small amount of the blush, using an fluffy angled brush and apply it to the apples of my cheeks.

For finishing off the look, I apply a few coats of the Maybelline Rocket Mascara to my top and bottom lashes (after giving them a quick curl). Then finally apply a lip balm of choice, I'm currently using one of the Baby Lips from Maybelline in 'Hydrate'.

What products do you reach for on lazy face days?

Kathleen xxx

FIRST POST!

Hello and welcome to my blog, my name's Kathleen.

This year I've made it my New Years resolution to start a beauty, makeup and lifestyle kind of blog (bit of a chiche being New Years and all but hey). This is something I've wanted to do for absolutely aaages but I've never really had enough confidence to do it - also because I know how much I bore my friends and family with my makeup related rambles, oooops. The majority of my blog posts will be about my favourite products, routines and reviews, and also a little bit about my life. I hope that you will enjoy reading them and will bare with me while get the hang of blogging.

I've been reading loads of beauty blogs for around two years and always think it's nice to know what the person is like writing the blog is like, so I've pinched some questions from a few 'get to know me' type of posts...

How old are you? I'm 18 years old
Where are you from? I'm from England and I currently live in Bristol
What do you do for a living? At the moment I'm studying for my final year of A-levels and also have a part time job in a cafe.
Where's your favourite place to buy makeup? Boots or larger department stores such as John Lewis or Debenhams 
What is your favourite drugstore makeup brand? Rimmel or Maybelline 
Could you leave the house without makeup? Yes, if I'm just going to the shops or one of my friends houses
Favourite nail varnish colour? I love wearing loads of different colour nail varnishes but my favourite is probably a dark, classic red like tate from Nails Inc.




Thank you for stopping by, Kathleen xxx